Bandung Mayor Farhan Explains Why Padel Court Was Not Sealed Over Tree Felling Case

Bandung Mayor Muhammad Farhan has revealed the reason he did not seal a padel court in relation to the felling of 10 trees on Jalan LL.RE Martadinata, or Jalan Riau, in Bandung. The Civil Service Police Unit (Satpol PP) had previously sealed a videotron because its owner was responsible for cutting down the trees.

“I asked in the official report, ‘Were you ordered to do this or was it your own initiative?’ The answer was, ‘My own initiative,’” Farhan said, recounting his question to the videotron owner on Monday (10/8/2026). He explained that the owner admitted to cutting down the trees so that the videotron could be seen by the public. Because of this direct link, Farhan said the videotron was sealed.

Regarding the padel court itself, he stated that it belongs to a different company. Therefore, legally, it is not connected to the tree felling incident. “They are two different companies. So legally, I cannot simply link them,” he said.